Blood And Silver:Rise of the Alpha’s Rejected Mate

Chapter 49 AURORA The next morning, I finally found Dane.

He was in his hoffice, a room filled with heavy, masculine furniture and dark wood.

He leaned over his desk, writing something.

I paused in the doorway when I saw him, caught for a moment in the memory of the dream.

Of the way he wantedin that place.

The way he claimedwithout hate.

If only I could stop myself from having those dreams, I might be able to stop wishing he would love me.

I knocked politely on the door frame, and he looked up.

I thought I saw something dark flash in his eyes.

Something like ... desire.

Then it was gone.

Aurora, he said in a polite tone .

How can I help you? Its about yesterday.

His face hardened, but I continued.

When I found you with the children, I was actually looking for you for another reason.

The hardness faded and he looked atwith curiosity.

Really? What reason is that? Chapter 49 The journal Part of the back inside cover peeled up, and I found more writing.

I think this is more complicated than we realized.

2/6 Dane set down his pen and turned to facefully.

He folded his arms over his chest and leaned against his desk.

Complicated in what way? I lifted the book.

I can show you.

He gestured for his desk, and I moved forward to stand next to him.

I showed him where the cover paper had peeled away, and how there was writing beneath.

I showed him the symbols that had revealed themselves to me.

There are three, I said.

And it speaks of shadows and a prison or cage.

I think thats why were under attack.

Because were getting close to the thing that contains the relic, and the shadows are trying to stop us.

Hm.

Whoever buried this power didnt want anyone else to have it.

Typical.

I nodded.

Or it could be ssort of trial to worthiness.

Either way, theyre connected.

Cour Theres only one problem with what you said.

Dane looked down at me, his arms still crossed over his chest.

These shadows arent targeting you.

Theyre targeting my family.

Why? Chapter 49 3/6 I glanced up at him, then away.

It was too easy to get caught in his eyes, to sink in and drown in them.

I dont know.

I was hoping the two pages that are still missing might have the answer.

Do you think Esther might have them, and she was toying with you by just giving you one ? he asked Ive considered it.

But Im not sure why.

Like weve discussed, she thinks this journal is an oddity.

Something silly, full of symbols.

Barely more important than a coloring book.

Otherwise, theres no way shed lethave it.

Dane nodded.

Still.

She might have the pages and just be holding them.

She might.

But I still think they might also be in the house, lost in the chaos of the years.

Mm.

I waited for him to say more, but he didnt.

. I think we were both lost in the memories of what happened the last tId tried to go and find the pages.

Dane broke the silence.

Ill go.

Im going, I protested.

Its my book.

My old home.

He sighed.

I meant Ill go with you.

Bring Trajan.

Ill bring Archer.

I believe the four of us should be a match for an old, abandoned house.

Before we go, Ill have guards comb the area Chapter 49 and make sure no Reeds are waiting in ambush .

4/6 Thank you, I said.

This was... casier than I expected it to be.

His gaze cut away from me.

I have no problem giving you want you want, Aurora, when what you want is reasonable.

I snorted.

Those words were a trap that would lead to another argument over the twins.

I wasnt going to fall into it.

Not today.

When should we go? I asked.

He glanced outside.

It was midmorning, the sky bright and blue and warm.

Tonight, he said.

Ive already sent the orders for the scouts to begin their work.

I nodded and went to leave.

Then I paused.

Dane.

How are Connell and Piper? He met my gaze.

To anyone else, Im sure he looked like the sstoic Alpha as ever.

But I could see the hint of blue beneath his eyes, the weariness in the way he held himself.

The same.

If the shadows are connected to the relic, finding it may help them, I said .

It will help them.

His voice was determined.

It has to .

He sighed.

Were in it, now, Aurora.

Our actions have affected others.

We cant stop.

Not until we see this through to the end.

He looked so distant and sad ; I moved back to him.

Tentatively, Chapter 49 I put a hand on his shoulder.

Im with you, Dane.

Your grandfather ... I always loved him like my own.

And Piper is incredible.

I wont abandon them.

Or you.

Before he could speak, or either of us could say something more, I left.

I had to remember to keep a professional distance from him.

It was for the best.

After all, he was still the man who was trying to take my children.

That night, Dane, Trajan, Archer, and I took a car I down the road id taken the other day.

We parked, walked, and cto the old Broken Forest Rackhouse m without hearing more than crickets and an owl. The building loomed above us, dark and forbidding, and I shivered.

You ready for this? Trajan asked.

I hesitated, then nodded.

It was a lie, but it didnt matter.

Sthings just had to be done.

Lets go, I said.

I walked inside.

Dane went first, then me, then Trajan.

Archer cbehind.

We stepped into the foyer and looked around.

The men had Chapter 49 their wolf sight.

I had a flashlight on my phone.

6/6 Well head for her old room, Dane said.

Remember, watch for There was an ominous creak, and then the flddr gave out beneath us.